The Fellowship of the Burning Heart #2

2/28/2012 08:46:00 AM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (0)


             The first commitment of Dr. Halverson’s “Fellowship of the Burning Heart” (found in  They Found the Secret by RaymondEdmond) reveals the role of the Holy Spirit in one’s personal spiritual growth and maturity.  Cooperation with this Spirit initiated process requires a daily refocusing on Him.  Clarity in this refocusing requires immersion in God’s Word.

            The second commitment of the “Fellowship of the Burning Heart” pertains to one’s character.

“The Fellowship of the Burning Heart”

“Having come to a personal belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and realizing that the urgency of the hour in which we live demands the highest type of Christian Discipleship.  I wish to unite with a band of young people offering themselves as expendables, with a vision of evangelizing the youth of the world for Jesus Christ in the shortest possible time.”

COMMITMENT #2

“I AM COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE that Christian discipleship begins with Christian character.  Therefore I pledge myself to holy living, that by a life of self-denial and self-discipline, I may emulate those Christ-like qualities of chastity and virtue which will magnify the Lord. 

Philippians 1:20 (NASB) “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”


KEY PHRASES TO CONSIDER WHEN EVALUATING YOUR CHARACTER:

·      “HOLY LIVING” – Are you living like you were made to serve Jesus?

·      “SELF-DENIAL” – Are you willing to put His desires before yours?

·      “SELF-DISCIPLINE” – Will you develop habits that cultivate godly character?


RichardHalverson (1916-1995) was a minister of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and served from 1958 until 1981 as the Senior Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland. He served as the Chaplain of the United States Senate from February 2, 1981 until December 31, 1994.  He was an associate of the National Prayer Breakfast movement starting in 1956. Halverson also was a member of the Board of World Vision, from 1956 to 1983, serving as chairman from 1966 to 1983.  He was the President of Concern Ministries, a charitable foundation in Washington, D.C.

The Fellowship of the Burning Heart

2/27/2012 04:00:00 PM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (1)


            After a period of “acute disillusionment” early in his adult life, Richard Halverson, former Pastor and Chaplain of the United States Senate had an amazing life changing encounter with God.  In his desperate condition, he pled with God for direction.  While attending a conference in Southern California, he stumbled upon an impromptu prayer meeting after an evening session.   It was here that God spoke to him about what became known as “The Fellowship of the Burning Heart.”

            God had spoken to Dr. Halverson about the condition of his heart and the commitment that would be required if he were to position himself to live out the incredible plan God had intended.  He thus wrote down the four commitments of “The Fellowship of the Burning Heart.”  They sum up the kind of discipleship required of every follower of Jesus Christ.

After recently reading this in They Found the Secret by Raymond Edmond, I thought it would be something worth passing on to you over the next 4 blogs.  I suspect that God will use it in your life as he has mine.  I believe it will be like pouring spiritual kerosene on the hot embers that surround your passion to know God.  Get ready to get burned.   As you live out these commitments, prepare to acquire a hot heart for God.


“The Fellowship of the Burning Heart”

“Having come to a personal belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and realizing that the urgency of the hour in which we live demands the highest type of Christian Discipleship.  I wish to unite with a band of young people offering themselves as expendables, with a vision of evangelizing the youth of the world for Jesus Christ in the shortest possible time.”

COMMITMENT #1

“I AM COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE that Christian discipleship is sustained solely by God alone through His Spirit; that the abiding life of John 15 is His way of sustaining me.  Therefore I pledge myself to a disciplined devotional life in which I promise through prayer, Bible study, and devotional reading, to give God not less than one hour per day. 

Psalms 1:1-6 (NASB) How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.


KEY PHRASES TO CONSIDER WHEN EVALUATING YOUR HEART:

 “  "URGENCY” – Time is short…am I putting off what needs to happen now
“  
    "EXPENDABLES” – Am I willing to offer everything I have and am to Jesus?

·    “DISCIPLINED DEVOTIONAL LIFE” – Will I do what’s necessary to learn how to abide in Him?


Richard Halverson (1916-1995) was a minister of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and served from 1958 until 1981 as the Senior Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland. He served as the Chaplain of the United States Senate from February 2, 1981 until December 31, 1994.  He was an associate of the National Prayer Breakfast movement starting in 1956. Halverson also was a member of the Board of World Vision, from 1956 to 1983, serving as chairman from 1966 to 1983.  He was the President of Concern Ministries, a charitable foundation in Washington, D.C.

Dream A Lot!

2/22/2012 08:19:00 AM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (1)


            “Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.”  Psalm 2:8 

            Dream a little!  NO, DREAM A LOT!  I’m not talking about wishful thinking or fantasy.  I’m talking about opening your eyes to see what God made you for.  Don’t settle for less than God’s best just because you can’t see how you could make it happen.  It’s not dependent upon you other than your willingness to be a part of something God-sized.  But, your willingness to do so is always limited by your vision – so dream a little.

            God’s plan for you includes the “nations.”  You are being fashioned into the kind of “fisher of men” that impacts the world.  Yes, that’s right…God has uniquely made YOU with the ability and potential to change this world.  As a follower of Jesus, you are the carrier of a message that can radically change billions of people’s lives.  You dare not tell God where you will deliver this message of hope.  Anything less than a global delivery commitment will result in the eternal death of billions.  Yes, that’s right…billions.

            The Psalmist and the Apostle John reveal the two things that are essential for this kind of massive impact.  Check them out below and let them become a part of your daily routine.

1.    Prayer that dares to ask for the nations.  (Ps 2:8)  Go ahead and ask Him.  But tell Him you are willing to do whatever and go wherever He directs even before He lets you know your specific role.   He loves a surrendered heart and always answers the kind of prayer that is according to His Will.  According to Ps 2:8, the “nations” are included in His Will.

2.    Faith that knows God is able to do “greater things” through you.  (John 14:12)  Okay, so you can’t see how God will do this through you.  That doesn’t matter.  What matters is that Jesus said He would be doing “greater works” through you than He did while here on earth.  Will you choose to believe Him?

            Once you get over the obstacle that screams for you to measure every directive of God with your abilities, there will be nothing that limits you.  The Lord is on a mission and has invited you to join Him.  It will require that you proclaim the Gospel to the world.  Go ahead and buckle up.  It’s going to be a great ride!  And what a difference it will make!

            “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father.”  John14:12

New Movie "The Vow" Defines Needed Commitment in Marriage

2/17/2012 02:14:00 PM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (0)

         A new movie entitled "The Vow" just came out and had a positive message about the need for commitment, loyalty, and sacrifice for any healthy marriage.  My son-in-law, Nathan Schneider, blogged a review of the movie that is certainly worth your reading.  I've included it below.

Reflections from "The Vow"

I’m not a big fan of chick flicks and not for the typical guy reasons. I don’t mind a love story, but Hollywood’s version of love is usually defined by emotion and not commitment. It’s usually about following your heart to find the one you love, which is often at the expense of wisdom and devotion. This is why I’m writing that I was pleasantly surprised by The Vow, which stars Rachel McAdams (The Notebook) and Channing Tatum (Dear John).

The Vow chronicles the life of a couple that has been affected by great tragedy. Leo (Tatum) and Paige (McAdams) are in a car accident that leaves Paige in a coma and upon recovering, without much of her short-term memory. She has no recollection of marrying Leo, dating him, or even meeting him. Family situations complicate the matter as Leo strives to pursue his bride. In addition, Paige’s last memories include her engagement to a different man. This obviously adds to the drama.

Toward the beginning of the movie, Leo makes this vow to Paige on their wedding day, “I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love.” ”All your forms” can probably be considered an adaptation of “for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” No matter how it was said, though, Leo made a commitment to love his wife no matter the situation in life (something often promised, but rarely kept). The rest of the movie, then, follows Leo and Paige as Leo seeks to win back his wife. The Vow pulls you in different directions, but leaves you ultimately rooting for Leo and Paige, which is probably the best part.

Not everything in the movie was something to cheer about, but I think most people can appreciate the level of commitment portrayed. Unfortunately, though, the movie does not chronicle the real life story quite as accurately as I would have liked. The couple that inspired The Vow, Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, were believers and remained faithful to their marriage because of their commitment to Christ (there is no mention of religion whatsoever). However, like Leo and Paige, Kim and Krickitt worked hard at their marriage (the Carpenters had to work at rebuilding their marriage for three years before they finally renewed their vows). Krickitt has never regained her memory of being with Kim before the accident, but the couple has found a renewed passion for one another. They currently live in New Mexico with their two children.

You can read about the Carpenters story here. There is also a book that chronicles their journey.     Nathan Schneider (from his blog, The Pounder)

Suffering Always Precedes Freedom

2/09/2012 10:59:00 AM / Posted by Mike Landry / comments (1)


 “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”  Hebrews 2:9 NASB

            This morning I received an email from a good friend with the words, “Valley Forge Park this morning.”  As he drove to work, he stopped and took a picture of the park and sent it to me; knowing I love Revolutionary War history.

            I was immediately reminded of the cost so many people paid at Valley Forge in order to secure our freedom and independence as a nation.  George Washington chose this location, about 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia, for the Continental Army to winter in and train for future battles.  Wikipedia describes it this way:

“Named for an iron forge on Valley Creek, the area was close enough to the British to keep their raiding and foraging parties out of the interior of Pennsylvania, yet far enough away to halt the threat of British surprise attacks. The high ground of Mount Joy and the adjoining elevated ground of Mount Misery combined with the Schuylkill River to the north, made the area easily defensible.
On December 19, 1777, when Washington's poorly fed, ill-equipped army, weary from long marches, staggered into Valley Forge, winds blew as the 12,000 Continentals prepared for winter's fury. Only about 1/3 of them had shoes, and many of their feet were leaving bloody footprints from the marching. Grounds for brigade encampments were selected, and defense lines were planned and begun. Though construction of more than a thousand huts provided shelter, it did little to offset the critical shortages that continually plagued the army.”  Wikipedia on Valley Forge

           
            Freedom is not free, nor is it ever painless…never has been, never will be.  We must never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.  We must live with an attitude of gratitude for those who have given so much.  And we must be willing to speak out, suffer when necessary, and make personal sacrifices if we are to preserve those freedoms.  Why not take a moment to thank God for those serve in our armed forces today; who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms.

            One more thing…there is another battle, an eternal one, being waged that affects every one of us.  The victory in this battle has already be secured and required the shedding of blood. Freedom from sin’s bondage required the suffering and the death of Jesus Christ.  His sacrifice has paved the way for forgiveness of sin and freedom from its bondage.  But are you experiencing the freedom He secured with His death.

Have you thanked God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for you that you might live?  Have you placed your faith in His Son and received His gift of eternal life?  No greater gratitude can be shown to Him than to humbly receive His gift.  Freedom is yours if you’ll receive it.

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